In our country’s 12^th Five-Year Plan, Macao is positioned as the World Tourism and Leisure Centre.  Macao is striving to diversify its tourism and leisure attractions and services.  In particular, Macao’s World Heritage sites are quite reputed among many Mainland Chinese and overseas visitors.  The government and the industry are actively protecting and promoting the universal values of our heritage.  Besides, other leisure and entertainment activities such as cultural and art programmes, sports events, and culinary and shopping experiences are all being enriched.  Coupled with the fact that recent years saw the entrance of numerous international hotel brands and large-scale shopping malls, the demand for tourism professionals has been increasing.

In tandem with this development, IFT is offering bachelor degree programmes in Heritage Management, Tourism Event Management, Tourism Business Management, Hotel Management, Tourism Retail and Marketing Management as well as the latest addition of Culinary Arts Management.  Some of these programmes are offered in the evening with the same teaching plan and curriculum to ensure the quality while offering more opportunities for working professionals to advance their studies.  A total of 1,453 students are currently enrolled in our bachelor degree programmes in the academic year 2011/12.  Apart from these, the Institute also offers certificate, diploma, short-term and other programs leading to international qualifications.  Last year, 19,238 participants enrolled in these programmes. 

The Macao SAR Government is actively promoting appropriate economic diversification.  In recent years, it has been encouraging the development of cultural and creative industries.  As a member of the Cultural Industry Committee, the Institute made its contribution by recently launching a series of programmes in the field of cultural and creative industry with the objective of helping residents cultivate their interests and talents.  Simultaneously, the Institute has also worked with the Cultural Affairs Bureau to initiate the Arts and Cultural Management Human Resources Training Programme by offering the Certificate in Arts Administration programme. The aim is to build a firm foundation in the human resource pool and administration of local art and cultural associations.

IFT Tourism Research Centre (ITRC) undertakes research work for government departments as well as various regular and longitudinal research projects related to the development of tourism.  This work provides important reference points for policy-makers.  Research includes the ‘Macao Tourism Carrying Capacity Study’, ‘Macao Visitor Profile Survey’ and ‘Macao Tourism Satisfaction Index’.  Our academic staff are increasingly involved in international conferences and are published widely in international academic journals.  Our institute supports such work with research subsidies and event allowances.  Moreover, the research findings are often shared with students in the classroom.

Tourism is an international industry.  For Macao to become a world tourism and leisure centre, comprehensive and world-class facilities are crucial, but what is more important is an innovative management and organisational team who has global vision, and understands cultural differences.  This is why our Institute is actively building relationships with global education and tourism institutes to create more opportunities for students to step out of Macao into the wider world.  In July 2011, our Institute was appointed as PATA Macau Chapter Chairman, heralding the Institute’s expanded participation in tourism in the Asia-Pacific.  We also hope that this will motivate students and young local people to participate in international events, to broaden their horizons and shape their comprehensive worldview.

The success of these projects is primarily due to the support of the Macao SAR Government and the hard work of all academic staff and students.  We are also deeply indebted towards the society and the industry for their active participation in projects we carry out.  In recent years, several organisations and individuals have kindly established scholarships and foundations to support students in overseas exchange, internship, and master’s degree programmes.  The new scholarships include the Isabel and Patrick Huen Scholarship, MGM MACAU Scholarship, L’Arc Macau Scholarship and Inspirational Youth Association Scholarship.  All these are of great support for the education philosophy of the Institute.  We hope to continue cooperating with various parties in the future and exert all efforts to enhance teaching and research, and cultivate high-quality talents for the industry.

Fanny Vong, Ph.D
President